The Ins and Outs of Cover Letters

Have you always struggled with writing cover letters? Every job applicant should be aware that a cover letter might not be needed if you have a contact that can easily pass your resume to the recruiter. However, it’s always smart to write one for the recruiter regardless to let him get a glimpse of you as an employee. A cover letter shows respect and motivation, so improve your odds and take the time to draft one.

Conservative cover letters are not recommended unless you work in select professions, such as medical doctor or university professor. Also, make sure that it doesn’t look like a complete replica of your resume. And without question, don’t submit a resume that’s simply a long list of all the things you’ve done in the past.

Here are some guidelines to consider:

Research. Look the company up on Google. Go to the company’s website to see what challenges the company is facing. Are they pursuing any opportunities? How fit are you to fulfill the available position? If you cannot find any news about the company, think about how you can help the organization overall if you do get the job.

Draw connections. What do you think are the most important skills the company seeks in a candidate? Match your skills with what the job requires and summarize how you have demonstrated each skill through past accomplishments.

Avoid clichés and errors. Do your research and learn how to write your cover letter with an appropriate professional tone. Seek one-on-one help if needed. When the writing is complete, find out whom the cover letter should be addressed to, either by calling the company directly or looking up specific contact info online.

Avoid the use of clichéd character statements or worn-out business phrases and buzzwords as much as possible. Demonstrate the characteristics you most want to convey by describing what makes you unique as an employee, and providing numbers and end results that show how your work was beneficial to your previous employer or employers.

Make it easy. Since hiring managers don’t have a lot of time on their hands, it’s important that you make it easy for them to contact you. Provide your name and contact information in your cover letter’s top header for quickest access. Follow up in a week to verify if your application was received.

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.